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Reds secure Socceroo Zullo on loan

Adelaide United FC can confirm Socceroo and former Brisbane Roar star Michael Zullo has joined the club on a one season loan deal.

Adelaide United FC has received a timely boost to its squad for the Hyundai A-League 2013/14 Season with Socceroo and former Brisbane Roar star Michael Zullo joining the club on a loan deal.

Just days after talented midfielder Dario Vidosic departed for FC Sion in Switzerland, the Reds have managed to snare Zullo on a loan deal from his Dutch club FC Utrecht until the end of the season.

Adelaide United General Manager - Football Operations, Michael Petrillo, has not hidden the fact that Coach Josep Gombau has been on the lookout for a left sided player who can play in either the left back or left midfield role.

Zullo, who has made 10 appearances for the Socceroos, the last of which came against Romania on 6 February 2013, fits that mould perfectly, and Petrillo is delighted to have attracted a player of Zullo-s calibre back to Australia and to the Reds.

“From the moment we first found out that Michael could be available we moved quickly,” Petrillo said.

“Michael is exactly the type of left sided player we were after. As soon as Josep had the details and saw the vision provided he was positive that Michael was exactly what he needed in that role.

“He's quick, technically very good, can get forward and has a great engine. We are also sure that he will adapt quickly given his playing experience at FC Utrecht and previously at Brisbane Roar.

“He will add more balance to the squad and in our discussions with him he has been extremely enthusiastic about joining us. I'd like to thank the management at FC Utrecht for their professional and cooperative approach to enable the negotiations to conclude so quickly and positively, they have been a great club to deal with."

Zullo has found it difficult to break into Utrecht-s first team so far this season, having not featured in the Dutch Eredivisie club-s opening four league games.

Contracted to Utrecht until 2015, Zullo is widely regarded as one of Australia-s best young talents and the 24 year old is eager for game time in order to put himself in consideration for a spot in Australia-s squad for next year-s World Cup in Brazil.

He sees an invitation to spend a season with the Reds as the ideal way to do this and is determined to give his best during his Adelaide United tenure.

“I want to be at a club again where I could be a first eleven player and play regular football. Obviously with an eye on the World Cup next year as well, I want to try and get as many games under my belt this season as I can and push a case to be part of the Socceroos,” Zullo said.

“Luckily enough Adelaide United showed some really keen interest on getting me, I got a really good vibe from the people I-ve talked to at the club, and I-m just really excited about getting there.”

“On the field I think I can bring some energy and speed down the left hand side, so hopefully I can help Adelaide and I think the game style they intend to play is a perfect fit for my kind of game and hopefully it will be a good fit for both of us.”

Zullo is expected to arrive in Adelaide on Sunday.

Michael ZULLO
DOB 11 September 1988 (Brisbane)
Age 24
Position Left back
Height 170cm
Weight 63kg